Local Consultant Throws a King Cake Party for TSA Workers

By 1-22-19

Federal employees at Louis Armstrong International Airport line up for king cake.

Photos and story by Suzanne P. Tafur

NEW ORLEANS - On Tuesday afternoon, several local TSA and federal employees were greeted by a sweet surprise – a table lined by king cakes, cookies coated with icing and sprinkles, and bottles of Big Easy Bucha kombucha tea.

The Carnival-inspired gathering took place on the mezzanine level of Concourse C, inside Louis Armstrong International Airport.

TSA, FAA, and CBP employees nationwide have been working without pay since late December, when the government shutdown began. A report shared on Sunday by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) revealed that 10-percent of their employees missed work, with many employees citing financial hardship as the reason.

James Lambert, the founder of James Lambert Consulting, coordinated and hosted the fete to show his appreciation for the federal employees screening passengers in the airport.

Lambert came up with the idea while returning to New Orleans from an overseas trip.

“I reached out to the airport to see if it was even feasible,” he said. “They approved the idea, so we got the ball rolling, and all the pieces came together.”

Donations came from Haydel’s Bakery, local baker Kelly Macready, and Big Easy Bucha. Bolden Vodka - a New Orleans-based company - donated vouchers allowing federal employees to receive two free Bolden Vodka drinks from lounges throughout the city.

Lambert joins a growing group of individuals and businesses, aiming to ease the financial and emotional strain faced by federal employees, during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

By Suzanne Pfefferle Tafur, Biz New Orleans associate news editor

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